Friday, February 11, 2005

::: Roger Bobo Curiosity :::Here is former Los Angeles Philharmonic, tubist Roger Bobo (this is one of the finest musicians in the world!) writing about his experience playing Ravel's Bolero in a community orchestra.

It turns out that the trombonist playing the famous Bolero solo in that orchestra was my favorite inspiration, Dick Nash (responsible for all the jazz soloing with Henry Mancini). Not only that, but the conductor of this community orchestra in Eagle Rock, near L.A., was none other than Leo Arnoud. Mr. Arnoud was the trombonist to perform the treacherous Bolero solo at the debut of the work in Paris, in 1928. At the debut, Maurice Ravel, himself was conducting. . .

In music, things like this happen all the time. It shows us how the world can become small and direct communication can occur from very far away and very long ago. Next time I see Dick Nash I will bring this up to him.

Mr. Arnoud makes some very interesting points about what Mr. Ravel was thinking when he orchestrated a trombone solo at this point in the music. From Roger Bobo's very clear comments, it seems that the sound desired for the trombone would be much brighter and edgier than performers now conceive it.

About Me

Love my wife Michele and my son Adam.
The lad is truly the savant with school and also with gaming. . .very spacially adept. . .also a very good strategist...he should consider becoming one of the Texas Rangers...no, a REAL Texas Ranger...you know-hunting down bad guys